Fur pelt or skin stretching apparatus



April 13, 1948.

C. H. DONNER FUR PELT 0R SKIN STRTCHING APPARATUS Filed July 1, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENToR. il 'az'lfaz/I/er,

April 13, 1948. c. H. DONNER 2,439,419

FUR PELT OR SKIN STRETGHING APPARATUS Filed July' l, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 13, 1948. c. H. DoNNER FUR PELT 0R SKIN STRETCHING APPARATUS Filed July l, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENJUR. JZ/Donnez;

April 13, 1948. c. H. DONNER 2,439,419

FUR FELT OR SKIN STRETCHING APPARATUS Fired July 1. 1946 4l sheets-'sheet 4 g JNVENToR.

zafeg` Patented Apr. 13, 1948 I FUR FELT B SKIN STBETCHING APPARATUS Carl Il. Donner, Summit, N. J., assigner to The Chapa] Donner Corporation, Newark, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application July 1, 194e, serial No. ceases 1c claims. (c1. Iss-24) K This invention' relates to apparatus for use in the preparation of fur employed in the manufacture of felt hats or in the production of other felt products; and the invention has reference, more particularly, to mechanism for stretching and smoothing fur pelts or skins preparatory to cutting away the fur or hair therefrom.

The fur of rabbits, hares, nutria, muskrat, beaver and similar animals is largely used as a fur for felting, and especially for the felting of hat bodies. Quantities of the fur pelts or skins of these animals are ordinarily packed in more or less compressed bundles or bales for shipment from the source of supply thereof to fur processors. The fur processors prepare the fur by carroting, dyeing and like treatments, and thereupon cut the fur from the skin, thereby making the same ready for use by the manufacturer of felt hats or other felt products.

Fur pelts or skins, when baled for shipment to the processor, become more or less wrinkled and otherwise distorted in the packing, and tend to dry out and set or more or less stiifen in such condition. Due to such wrinkling or like distortion, when a pelt or skin is subjected to a cutting machine for removal of the fur from the skin, the cutting knives either fail to reach the bases of the hairs so as to cut them off close to the skin, or the knives cut off shreds of skin with the fur Without severing the hair therefrom;

either of which occurrence results in considerable loss of valuable fur. Such occurrences can be substantially avoided, or at least considerably limited, if the wrinkles or like distortions of the skin are removed and smoothed out, so as to leave the skin stretched into substantially flat and smooth condition; in which condition the cutting machine knives can best reach into and sever the hairs at points very close to the skin surface, and with minimum risk of chipping the skin.

Having the above stated conditions in view, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel and eflicient apparatus for stretching and smoothing fur pelts or skins.

The invention has for another object to provide a fur pelt or skin stretching and smoothing apparatus which is quick acting and efficient. To this end the apparatus lcomprises means to rst stretch the skin to remove wrinkles or like distortions therefrom while at the same time breaking down the stillness thereof, and means to thereafter smooth or iron out the skin from a medial portion thereof outwardly and simultaneously in opposite directions, so as to effect an equalized and uniformly applied final stretching and smoothing action thereupon without risk of tearing or otherwise injuring the skin or fur; means being provided for automatically passing the skin from the initial stretching means to the smoothing and ironing means, and thence for discharge from the apparatus.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be understood from the following detailed description of the same.

An illustrative embodiment of apparatus according to vthis invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: 1

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus; Fig.2 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section therethrough, taken on line 2-2 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is another transverse vertical section therethrough, taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a schematic central longitudinal vertical sectional view of the apparatus.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal'sectional view of the smoothing and ironing roll of the apparatus, with parts thereof shown in elevation; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 6-6 in Fig. 5; Fig. 'I is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 1--1 in Fig. 5; and F12. 8 is another crosssectional view, taken on line 8-8 in Fig. 5.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the above described views to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to said drawings, the reference character II) indicates a suitable framework for supporting the operative parts of the apparatus; said framework including side members il.

Located at the receiving end of the apparatus 'are a pair of transverse stretcher rolls by means of which the initial skin stretching treatment is eiected, the same comprising a lower stretcher roll I2 and a cooperating upper stretcher roll I3. The shaft Il of the lower stretcher roll I2 is journaled in and between stationary bearings I5 which are supported by the side members II of the framework. The shaft I6 of the upper stretcher roll I3 is journaled in and between vertically adjustable bearings I1 which are also supported by the side members II of the framework.

The lower stretcher roll I2 is provided with a plurality of axially spaced annular stretcher flanges I8, and the upper stretcher roll I3 is provided with a plurality of like axially spaced annular stretcher flanges I9, so located however as to be disposed in staggered relation to those of said lower stretcher roll. Said stretcher rolls I2 and I3, as operatively related, are spaced apart a suitable distance, and so that the peripheries of the stretcher flanges I8 of the one dovetail be tween or lap the stretcher flanges I9 of the other, but in spaced relation to each other and to the roll body peripheries so as to leave intervening space for the reception and passage of a f ur pelt or skin therebetween, The roll shafts I4 and I6 are provided with intermeshing gears 20 and 2|, whereby rotary movement of the lower stretcher roll I2 is transmitted to the upper stretcher roll I3.

Means is provided for adjusting the relative spacing of the stretcher rolls I2 and I3. An illustrative form of such means, as shown, comprises a transverse bridge plate 22 which is affixed to and between the side members II of the framework above said rolls. Supported in connection with the respective ends of said bridge plate 22, so as to :be disposed in axially aligned relation to and above the adjustable bearings I1, are fixed bearings 23 in which are journaled vertical adjusting shafts 24. the screw-threaded lower end portions of which are threaded into said adjustable bearings I1. Fixed on said adjusting shafts 24, above the bridge plate 22, are bevel gears 25. Supported by upwardly yieldable bearings 26, which are mounted on the bridge plate 22', is a transmission shaft 21, to the ends of which are fixed bevel gears 28 to respectively mesh with the bevel gears 25 of said adjusting shafts 24. One of said adjusting shafts 24 is provided with an upward extension 29. upon hand wheel 30 is turned to rotate the adjusting shaft 24 with which it is connected. The movement of the one thus rotated adjusting shaft 24 is transmitted to the other adjusting shaft, in corresponding direction and degree, by the transmission shaft 21 and associated gearing, whereby the simultaneous turning of said adjusting shafts 24 will cause their screw-threaded portions to uniformly and equally raise or lower, as the case may be, the adjustable bearings I1 by which the ends of the upper stretcher roll I3 are journaled, thus adjustably positioning the latter relative to the lower stretcher roll I2 in desired parallel spaced relation thereto. It will :be noted that the transmission shaft 21 is supported by the bearings 26 which are upwardly yieldable against the tension of compression springs 3I cooperative therewith, whereby, since the adjusting shafts 24 may slide in the bearings 2'3, the arrangement yieldably supports the upper stretcher roll I3 for separative movement relative to the lower stretcher roll I2. This is very desirable, since it not infrequently happens that a fur pelt or skin, passed between the stretcher rolls, possesses a hardened lump, knot or other excrescence, which, unless the stretcher rolls are permitted to yield thereto and separate to permit passage thereof therebetween, may cause jamming of said rolls cr injury to their stretcher anges I8-I9.

Suitably supported in connection with the forward end of the framework, for extension toward the nip of the stretcher rolls .I2-I3. is a feedtable 32. Journaled in and across the framework side members and in spaced relation to and above the inner end of the table surface, is a driven feed roller 33. Said feed roller 33 is driven from the upper stretcher roll I3 by gearing comprising a drive gear 34 which is affixed to the shaft I6 of said upper stretcher roll, a suitably supported idler gear 35, and a driven gear 36 with flanges I8 of the lower stretcher roll I2 will be pushed upwardly intermediate portions thereof which are snubbed over the adjacent laterally offset stretcher flanges I9 of the upper stretcher roll I3, while those portions of the skin contacted by the stretcher flanges I9 of the upper stretcher roll I3 will be pushed downwardly intermediate portions thereof which are snubbed over the adjacent laterally offset stretcher flanges I8 of said lower stretcher roll I2. The effect of this is to stretch the skin and thereby to stress the wrinkled, bulged or distorted parts thereof, whereby to pull or straighten out and thus remove said wrinkles, bulges and like distortions therefrom, while at the same time flexing the skin sufficiently to :break down any set and stiffness thereof, so that the skin as a wholebecomes desirably flexible, and therefore adapted to be more efficiently handled and applied to dehairing mechanism. Cooperative with each stretcher roll is a doctor blade means 31 (see Fig. 4), which assures stripping of the fur pelt or skin from these vrolls as it emerges therefrom.

- stretched skin and thus complete the stretching treatment thereof. This means comprises a nonrotatable transverse shaft 38, which is fixed in and between supporting bearings 39 with which the framework is provided. Fixed on said shaft is a cam cylinder 40. Rotatable on and about said cam cylinder 40 is a carrier cylinder or roll 4I upon which are mounted two sets of longitudinally reciprocable ironer members. One set of ironer members comprises a plurality of independently reciprocable ironer members 42 which are arranged side by side around the periphery of the roll 4I, and so as toextend longitudinally from the medial portion of said roll toward one end thereof. The other set of ironer members comprises a plurality of like independently reciprocable ironer members 43 which are also arranged side by side around the periphery of the roll 4I, but so as to extend longitudinally from the medial portion of the latter toward the opposite end thereof. The outer surfaces of said ironer members 42 are provided with transverse serrations or blunt teeth 44 which are directed toward that end of the roll 4I toward which said therefrom, the heads of which are embraced and are slidably engaged by stepped guide slots 41 with which the under side of end portions of the ironer members are'provided. Said cam cylinder 40 is provided, adjacent one end thereof, with a suitably shaped and obliquely pitched cam race 48 for cooperation with the one set of ironer members 42, and. adjacent its opposite end, with a correspondingly shaped but oppositely pitched oblique cam race 4I forcooperation with the other set of ironer members 4 I Aillxed to the underside of each ironer member is a driver stud Il which terminates in an anti-friction roller 8| adapted to engage and ride in an adjacent cam race oi the cam cylinder. Said carrier roll 4| is provided, beneath each ironer memberi with a longitudinal slotway 52 in which the driver stud of the driver member rides back and forth during the reciprocable movements of the same. The studs and rollers 50-5I of the set of ironer members 4I engage in the cam race 48 so as to be moved thereby and thus effect longitudinal reciprocable movements of the ironer members of said setbackand forth between the medial portion and one end of the carrier roll 4I. The studs and rollers M-lil of the other set of ironer members 48 engage in the cam race 49 so as to be moved thereby and thus effect similar longitudinal reciprocable movements of the ironer members of said latter set thereof back and forth between the medial portion and the opposite end of said carrier roll 4i.

Means is provided for delivering a skin discharged from the stretcher rolls l2-I9 to and for operative engagement by the skin ironing and smoothing means or roll, and thence for discharge from the apparatus. Said means comprises an endless carrier apron 58 which is of a width substantially corresponding to the lengths of the stretcher rolls and the ironing and smoothing roll. The receiving end of said carrier apron 53 is supported by a transverse pulley roll 54, the shaft 55 of which is journaled in and between bearings 58 which are mounted on the side members Il of the framework adjacent to the discharge side of the stretcher rolls |2I3, and in a plane above that of said ironing and smooth-l ing roll. The discharge end of said carrier apron 53 is likewise supported by a similar transverse pulley roll 51, the shaft I8 of which is journaled in and between bearings .59 which are mounted on the framework side members Il adjacent to the rearward end of the apparatus. and also in a plane above that of said., ironing and smoothing roll. As thus mounted, the operative course of said carrier apron 59 descends from the stretcher rolls i2|3 to pass beneath the underside of the ironing and smoothing roll. thence ascending to the point of discharge at the rearward end of the apparatus. The return course of said carrier apron 53 passes over a vertically adjustable transverse tightener pulley roll 80, the shaft 6i of which is journaled inand between vertically adjustable bearings 82 which are suitably supported in connection with the framework, below the ironing and smoothing roll. It will be obvious that by vertically adjusting the tightener pulley roll 88, the tension of the carrier apron 53, as to its bearing against the underside of the ironing and smoothing roll, may be suitably regulated.

Mounted to run parallel to and for cooperation with the descending portion of the operative course of said carrier apron il is an endless conveyer belt 63 of corresponding width. The

lower end of said conveyer belt Il terminates ad- I lof said conveyer belt 88 is located adjacent to the discharge side of the stretcher rolls I2-i9, and is also supported by a pulley roll 81. the shaft 88 of which is Journaled in and between adjustable bearings 8l, adjustment of which governs the operating tension oi' said conveyer belt 83. In like manner, mounted to run parallel to and for cooperation with the ascending portion of the operative course of said carrier apron 89 is an endless conveyer belt 18 of corresponding width. The lower end of said conveyer belt 18 terminates adjacent to the discharge side of the ironing and smoothing roll, and is supported by a pulley roll 1|. the shaft 12 of which is journaled in and between bearings 18 which are affixed to the framework side members. Il. The upper end of said conveyer belt 1l is located adjacent to the discharge end of the carrier apron |53, and is also supported by a pulley roll 14, the shaft 18 of which is journaled in and between adjustable bearings 18, adjustment of which governs the operative tension of said conveyer belt 18.

Supported by and between the framework side members Il, to extend outwardly from the discharge end of the carrier apron '83 is a downwardly inclined discharge chute 11 for discharging the treated skins from the apparatus. suitably designed power transmission means is provided for operating the stretcherlrolls, the ironing and smoothing roll and its cooperating carrier apron, and the conveyer belts associated with the latter. An illustrative form of such power transmission means, a`s shown, comprises a power shaft 18 which is journaled in yand between bearings 19 which are suitably 'located and supported in the lower part of the framework I0. Power may be applied to said power shaft 18 in any suitable manner, as e. g. by means of a driving pulley 88 aixed thereto. Afiixed on and rotated by said power shaft 18 is a drive gear 8i. Connected with the framework I8, respectively at opposite v,sides of said drive shaft 18, are bearing brackets 82 and 83. Rotatively supported by the bearing bracket 82 is a driven gear 84 withwhich the drive gear r8i meshes in driving relation thereto. Driven by said gear 84 is a sprocket and chain transmission 85A adapted to drive the lower stretcher roll I2 and through it the upper stretcher roll I3. Extending between the power shaft 18 and the carrier roll 4l of the ironing and smoothing means is a chain and sprocket transmission 86 adapted to operatively rotate said carrier roll; the latter having a hub portion 81 and hollow shaft extension 88 upon which 4the driven sprocket 89 of said 'transmission 86 is aillxed (see Fig. 5). Rotativelly supported by the bearing bracket 83 is a driven gear 90 with which the drive gear 8i also meshes in driving relation thereto. Driven by said gear 98 is a sprocket and chain transmission 9i adapted to drive the pulley roll 51 and through it the carrier apron 53.l

Means is also provided for driving the respective conveyer belts 63 and 10. This means, as shown, comprises a drive gear 92 which is fixed on the hollow shaft extension 88 of the carrier roll 4i of'the ironing and smoothing means, whereby to be driven thereby. Said drive gear 92 drives the conveyor belt 63 through gearing 93 which is adapted to rotate the pulley roll 64. In like manner, said drive gear 92 also drives the conveyer belt l through gearing 94 which is adapted to rotate the pulley 1 I.

- Upon issuing from the stretcher rolls i2-i3, which perform the initial stretching of the fur pelt or skin as above described, the fur pelt or skin passes onto the descending portion of the operative course of the carrier apron 53, whereby to be engaged between the same and the overlying conveyer belt 63, thus being carried down to and for engagement Vwith theA ironing and smoothing, roll. Since the apron 53 passes beneath the underside of the ironing and smoothing roll, the skin side or face of the fur pelt or skin is brought thereby into engagement with and rmly pressed against the reciprocated y ironer members 42 and 43 which are carried by the rotated carrier cylinder or roll 4l, while being advanced therewith by the movement of said carrier yapron 53. The cam races 49 and 49 are so shaped that those portions thereof, which extend across the underside of the stationary cam cylinder 4l), respectively incline from a point toward the medial portion of the latter outwardly toward the respective ends thereof. while those portions of said cam races, which extend across the upper side of said station-ary cam cylinder, are loppositely inclined. As a result of this, when the studs and rollers Sli-5| of the respective sets of ironer members 42 and 43 are caused to traverse the underside of the cam cylinder and the g y longitudinally outward from the medial portion of the ironing and smoothing roll toward one end thereof, viz. the left hand end as shown, whereas the ironer members 43, while likewise engaged Vwith the skin, are being simultaneously moved longitudinally outward from the medial portion of the ironing and smoothing roll toward the opposite end thereof, viz.4 the right hand end as shown. By reason of such operation of the ironer members 42-43, the same exert additional stretching and smoothing effect upon the skin, simultaneously in opposite directions leading from its medial portion, so as to exert equalized and uniformly applied pulling and smoothing action thereupon without risk of tearing or otherwise injuring the same, whereby any wrinkles or distortions thereof are quickly and finally ironed out, leaving the skin substantially smooth, flat and flexible. When, under rotation of the carrier cylinder or roll 4|. the ironer members 42-43 pass beyond their skin engaging positions, the studs and rollers lili- 5I thereof will traverse the inwardly inclined portions of the cam races 48-49, so as to be moved longitudinally inward and back to initial starting points toward the medial portion of the ironing and smoothing roll, and thus disposedto repeat their ironing and smoothing strokes upon any skin passed' beneath and in contact therewith.

As the skin passes beyond the ironing and smoothing roll, it is moved outwardly by the ascending portion of the carrier apron 53, whereby to be engaged between the same and the over- 11, for descent along the latter and out of the apparatus.

Since various changes could be made in the of rotated initial stretcher\rolls each havingl axially spaced annular stretcher flanges projecting from their peripheries, the stretcher flanges of one said roll being in staggered and intervening relation to those of the other roll, a rotated ironing and smoothing means having longitudinally reciprocated ironer members mounted varound the periphery thereof, and a driven carrier means adapted to receive work discharged from said initial stretcher rolls and to carry the same into operative engagement with said ironing and smoothing means and thence for discharge from the apparatus.

2. In apparatus of the kind described, a pair of rotated initial stretcher rolls' each having axially spaced annular stretcher flanges projecting from their peripheries, the stretcher flanges of one said roll being in staggered and intervening relation to those of the other roll, a rotated ironing and smoothing means having longitudinally reciprocated ironerl members mounted around the periphery thereof, saidironer members comprising two sets thereof respectively and simultaneously reciprocated in opposite directions between medial and the respective end portions of said ironing and smoothing means, and a driven carrier means adapted to receive work discharged from said initial stretcher rolls and to carry the same into operative engagement with said ironing and smoothing means and thence for discharge from the apparatus.

3. In apparatus of the kind described as defined in claim l including adjusting means for positioning said initial stretcher rolls in selected spaced apart relation one to the other, and means to support one of said rolls subject to yielding separative movement relative to the other thereof.

4. In apparatus of the kind described as defined in claim 2 including adjusting means for positioning said initial stretcher rolls in selected spaced apart relation one to the other, and means to support one of said rolls subject to yielding separative movement relative to the other thereof.

5. Apparatus for the purposes set forthcomprising a pair of rotated initial stretcher rolls each having axially spaced annular stretcher flanges projecting from their peripheries, the stretcher flanges of one said roll being in staggered and intervening relation to those of the other roll, a feed table leading to said stretcher rolls, a rotated feed roller cooperative with the discharge end of said table and adapted to advance the work to and for engagement by said stretcher rolls, a rotated ironing and smoothing means having longitudinally reciprocated ironer members mounted around the periphery thereof. said ironer members comprising two sets thereof respectively and simultaneously reciprocated in opposite directions between medial and the respective end portions of said ironing and smoothing means, and a driven carrier means adapted to receive work discharged from said initial stretcher rolls and to carry the same into engagement with said ironing and Osmoothing means at.

in opposite outward directions, said carrier means being adapted to thence discharge the work from the apparatus.

6. In apparatus for the purposes set forth, an

` initial stretching means comprising a pair of rotated stretcher rolls each having axially spaced annular stretcher flanges projecting from their peripheries, the stretcher anges of one said roll being in staggeredl and intervening relation to those of the other roll, a feed table leading to said stretcher rolls, a rotated feed rollerv cooperative with the discharge end of said feed table and adapted to advance the work to and for engagement by said stretcher rolls, adjusting means for positioning said stretcher rolls in selected spaced apart relation one to the other, and means to support one of said rolls subject to yielding separative movement relative to the other thereof.

7. In apparatus for the purposes set forth as defined in claim including adjusting means for positioning said initial stretcher rolls in selected spaced apart relation one to the other, and means to support one of said rolls subject to yielding separative movement relative to the other thereof.

8. In apparatus of the kind described as defined in claim 2 wherein said ironer members are provided on their outer surfaces with transverse serrations directed toward their outer ends.

9. In apparatus of the kind described as defined in claim 5 wherein said ironer members are provided on their outer surfaces with transverse serrations directed toward their outer ends.

10. Apparatus for the purposes set forth comprising a pair of rotated stretcher rolls each having axially spaced annular stretcher anges projecting from their peripheries, the stretcher flanges of one said roll being in staggered and intervening relation to those of the other roll, a rotated ironing and smoothing means having longitudinally reciprocated ironerv members rotatable cam cylinder, a carrier roll adapted to be rotated about said cam cylinder, longitudinally reciprocable ironer members having serrated outer faces mounted on and around the periphery of said carrier roll, said ironer members comprising two sets thereof adapted to be simultaneouslyl reciprocated in opposite directions between medial and the respective end portions of said carrier roll, said cam cylinder having a cam race for each set of ironer members, the ironer members of each set thereof having activating means operatively engaged by the respective cam races, and a driven endless carrier apron adapted to yoperatively engage the work with outwardly moving ironer members of the setsvthereof.

14. Apparatus for the purposes set forth comprising a pair of rotated stretcher rolls each having 'axially spaced annular stretcher flanges projecting from their peripheries, 'the stretcher flanges of one said roll being in staggered and intervening relation to those of the other roll, an ironing and smoothing means located in a plane below that of the nip of said stretcher rolls, said ironing and smoothing means comprising a non-rotatable cam cylinder, a car-rier roll adapted to be rotated about said cam cylinder, longitudinally reciprccable ironer members having serrated outer faces mounted on and around the periphery of said carrier roll, said ironer members comprising two sets thereof adapted to be simultaneously reciprocated in opposite directions between medial and respective end portions of said carrier roll, said cam cylinder having a cam race for each set of ironer members, the ironer members of each set thereof having actuating means operatively engaged by the respective cam races,

mounted around the periphery thereof, said ironer members comprising two sets thereof respectively and simultaneously reciprocated in opposite directions between medial and the respective end portions of said ironing and smoothing means, said ironing and smoothing means being located in a plane below that of the nip of said stretcher rolls, a driven endless carrier apron having its operative course arranged to provide a descending por,

tion extending from a point adjacent to the discharge side of said stretcher rolls to pass around the underside of said ironing and smoothing means and an ascending `portion extending from the latter to the discharge end of the apparatus,

, a driven endless conveyer belt cooperative with spaced apart relation one to the other, and means tc support one of said rolls subject to yielding separative movement relative to the other thereof.

`13. In apparatus of the kind described, an ironing and smoothing means comprising a nona driven endless carrier apron having its operative course arranged to provide a descending portion extending from a point adjacent to the discharge side of said stretcher rolls to pass around the underside of said ironing and smoothing means and an ascending portion extending from the `,latter to the discharge end of the apparatus whereby to engage the work with outwardly moving ironer members of the sets thereof, a driven endless conveyer belt cooperative with said descendingportionof said carrier apron, and a second endless conveyer belt cooperative with said ascending portion of said carrier apron.

15. In apparatus oi the kind described as deilned in claim 14 including a feed table leading to said stretcher rolls, and a rotated feed roller cooperative with the discharge end of said table and adapted to advance the work to and for engagement by said stretcher rolls.

16. Apparatus for the purposes set forth as defined in claim 14 including adjusting means for positioningv said initial stretcher rolls in selected spaced apart relation one to the other, and means to support one of said rolls subject to yielding separative movement relative to the other thereof.

CARL H. DONNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS France 1 1839 

